Greeks self Injects HIV To Claim Benefits

WHO retracts the report that Greeks Self destruct to claim monthly benefit. An increasing number of Greeks were reported to have injected themselves with HIV to claim hundreds of euros in benefits. The World Health Organisation (WHO), which investigated the impact of the economic downturn on countries across Europe, said HIV rates had risen "significantly" in the debt-ridden country.

It said about half of new HIV infections were self-inflicted, allowing people to receive benefits of €700 (£585) per month, as well as faster admission onto drug rehabilitation programmes.

Prostitution also increased, "probably as a response to economic hardship", it said, adding that Greeks were less likely than they were in 2007 to visit a doctor or dentist when they were feeling unwell.

Figures from the Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, also known as Keelpno, showed the HIV infection rate in Greece has nearly tripled in 10 years - up from 3.9 in every 100,000 people in 2003 to 10.9 in 2012.

There were 1,180 HIV infections last year compared with 434 in 2003, while the disease was transmitted through injections in around a tenth (8.9%) of cases in 2012.

The majority of infections (53%) occur among Greek men aged 25-39.

A spokesman for the WHO said: "These adverse trends in Greece pose a warning to other countries undergoing significant fiscal austerity, including Spain, Ireland and Italy.

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